Pendulum Has Swung to the West

The Lakers are leading the way, but, continuing a trend, they aren’t the only Western Conference team racing toward 50 victories or more this season.

In last season’s lockout-shortened, 50-game regular season, three Western teams--San Antonio, Utah and Portland--had the three best records in the NBA.

So far this season, the Lakers and Portland are the only NBA teams winning more than 70% of their games, and Seattle, Phoenix, San Antonio and Utah are all at or above 60%.

Laker Coach Phil Jackson, who battled through the Eastern Conference when Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Indiana and New York were all powers, says the tilt to the West is understandable.

“Those things do seem to swing in the course of time, generations,” Jackson said. “Those things swing over from one side to the other . . .

“A few free agents end up popping up over back here, suddenly the balance is shifted. Penny Hardaway, Horace Grant, Scottie Pippen ending up over here 1/8from the East 3/8 . . . a variety of guys.

“Or even Denver’s getting 1/8Ron 3/8 Mercer this year, which is a big deal for them, suddenly gave them three quality players and it changes the West entirely because of that advent of really good players.”

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Forward Robert Horry’s 12-point outing Saturday against San Antonio was his season high, which continued another trend: The Lakers are 7-0 when he scores five points or more.

Tonight

vs. Dallas, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 23-5; Mavericks 9-19.

* Record vs. Mavericks--2-0.

* Update--The Lakers have won 18 in a row against Dallas, and 18 in a row at home against the Mavericks dating to 1990-91. When the Lakers played a home-and-home against the Mavericks earlier this season, Dallas Coach Don Nelson had his players foul Shaquille O’Neal as often as possible, forcing O’Neal to take 37 free throws (he made 13) in the two games.

* Tickets--Sold out.